International companies giving us a raw deal

SEETA PERSAD

A group of offshore workers yesterday petitioned the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) seeking its help in addressing issues relating to compensation for injuries on the job and wages while on sick leave.

Ozzi Warwick, education and research officer of the OWTU, said at a media conference at the union’s Circular Road, San Fernando headquarters, that international companies doing business in Trinidad are seeking to exploit workers by working around the Industrial Relations Act and the Occupational, Safety and Health Act.

“We cannot, as a country, as a society, accept companies taking advantage of local workers,” Warwick said. About 50 workers employed on drilling rigs on offshore platforms assembled at the OWTU hall for the conference. Warwick said there had been attempts to de-unionise the offshore-sector workers.

“At a time when multinationals can come to this country and operate with impunity, with absolute disregard for workers’ rights, labour should not be exploited or forced by economic necessity to operate in inhumane conditions,” he said.

OWTU’s chief labour relation officer Lindon Mendoza, who is responsible for offshore workers, said several offshore contract workers have been injured on the job but, while they remain ill at home or at hospital recuperating, they are not paid.

He said an employee who suffers personal injury arising out of accident during the course of his or her employment, must be paid full wages and the employer shall cover the cost of any treatment related to the injury.